Russia withdraws portion of troops from border with Ukraine
Russia's Southern Military District is returning 10,000 troops to their permanent bases after a month of "field training."
Defense - Latest news
25 December 2021
Ukraine launches production of Bayraktar drones - Yermak
The production of armed drones Bayraktar TB2 has been launched in Ukraine, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office.
One soldier wounded amid five enemy attacks in eastern Ukraine on Dec 24
Russian-backed forces launched five attacks on Ukrainian positions on December 24, two of them involving weapons banned under the Minsk agreements, the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation has said in a morning report on Facebook.
24 December 2021
French military frigate arrives in Odesa
A ship of the French Navy has arrived in Odesa. The frigate is capable of destroying enemy surface ships and ground targets.
Berlin, Paris urge to adhere to ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
Germany and France, as mediators in the Normandy format, welcome the results of the Trilateral Contact Group meeting.
Three ceasefire violations recorded in JFO area
The armed formations of the Russian Federation continue to ignore the agreements reached within the Trilateral Contact Group.
23 December 2021
Russia amasses about 52 battalion tactical groups near Ukraine’s border
As of today, there are about 52 battalion tactical groups of the Russian Armed Forces near Ukraine’s border and their number may increase.
Russia launches another military exercise in country’s south, occupied Crimea
The Russian Ministry of Defense says more than 1,200 paratroopers and more than 250 units of military hardware equipment were involved in live-fire exercises in the occupied Crimea and Russia’s Krasnodar Territory.
OSCE: Five times more ceasefire violations recorded this month compared to December 2020
This month, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine recorded about five times more ceasefire violations on average per day compared to December 2020.
Yermak says return to ceasefire a step towards de-escalation in eastern Ukraine
The return to a ceasefire, which was agreed upon at a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on December 22, is a step towards de-escalation in eastern Ukraine.
Three Airbus helicopters for border guards arrive in Ukraine from France
Three Airbus helicopters for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service have arrived in Ukraine from France, the State Border Guard Service has said.
TCG agrees to return to ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) said that at the latest meeting the parties reached a common understanding on the need to restore ceasefire in the zone of hostilities.
Ceasefire observed in eastern Ukraine
Over the past day and as of 07:00, December 23, no ceasefire violations were recorded in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops first time use Javelin in training in Donbas
For the first time since obtaining Javelin portable anti-tank missile systems from the U.S. as part of lethal aid, the Ukrainian Army used this weapon in a live-fire exercise in the Joint Forces Operation zone.
22 December 2021
Defense Ministry refutes Kremlin’s fakes about US military, chemical weapons in Donetsk region
The statement spread by the Russian military leadership about the allegedly “reliably established presence of more than 120 employees of American private military companies in Avdiyivka and Pryazovske in Donetsk region” is deliberate disinformation.
NSDC secretary says 122,000 Russian troops massed near Ukraine border
There are 122,000 Russian servicemen deployed at a 200-km distance to the borders of Ukraine, as well as another 143,500 at a distance of 400 km.
Russian troops near Ukraine's borders: NATO raising readiness of Response Force - Welt
For the first time, NATO is responding to the deployment of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border with concrete measures.
Ukraine, Hungary plan to hold peacekeeping exercises
Ukraine and Hungary intend to hold joint peacekeeping exercises.
MFA Ukraine on "Americans and chemical weapons" in Donbas: Russia creating information cover for provocation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine categorically rejects Russia's insinuations about the alleged chemical weapons, instructors with American private military companies, and shelling of residential neighborhoods in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops destroy enemy drone outside Krasnohorivka
Over the past day, December 21, Russian-occupation troops violated the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine three times, including one attack with the use of weapons banned under the Minsk Agreements.
21 December 2021
Baltic States declare readiness to provide military assistance to Ukraine
Defense Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia Arvydas Anušauskas, Artis Pabriks, and Kalle Laanet expressed solidarity with Ukraine and their countries’ readiness to provide the country with assistance, both non-military and military, also calling for NATO to take additional steps to deter Russia.
Up to 800 Russian officers and generals staying permanently in CADLR – intelligence
From 600 to 800 Russian officers and generals stay permanently in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADLR).
Occupiers deny OSCE SMM passage to camera system near Zolote
On Monday, militants of the Russian-occupation forces denied the OSCE SMM passage to camera system in the disengagement area near Zolote, Luhansk region.
Donbas update: Ukraine reports 1 WIA amid 5 ceasefire violations by enemy forces
A Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in hostilities in the Joint Forces Operation zone.
20 December 2021
"No easy walk for Russia": Danilov advocates arming territorial defense forces
Territorial defense forces will receive the required weaponry, while Russia won’t have an “easy walk” in Ukraine in case of invading the country.
New Navy boats may arrive in Berdyansk port through Kerch Strait - commander
Starting next year, Ukraine will start receiving from the United States a batch of Mark VI high-speed combat boats, some of which are set to be delivered to the port of Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov. In this regard, Ukraine does not rule out that the boats will sail to the said port through the Kerch Strait near the occupied Crimea.
Lithuania’s Defense Minister: We are ready to deliver lethal weapons to Ukraine
Minister of National Defense of Lithuania Arvydas Anušauskas says that his country is ready to support Ukraine in every possible way amid a possible new Russia’s invasion and to hand over lethal weapons to Ukraine.
U.S. Congress delegation visits Ukraine
US Congressman Jason Crow led a U.S. Congressional delegation to Kyiv to discuss Russia's aggressive military build-up in and around Ukraine and hear assessments from Ukrainian officials and military leadership, according to the Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
Donbas update: Invaders breach truce twice Dec 19
Over the past 24 hours, on December 19, the Russian occupation forces resorted to two ceasefire violations, one of which involved weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements.
18 December 2021
Occupiers violate ceasefire in JFO area four times
Over the past day, December 17, Russian-occupation troops violated the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine four times.